EPAEven with the new king, Elizabeth is still everywhere on the streets of Windsor
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:42
Fleur Launspach
UK and Ireland correspondent
Fleur Launspach
UK and Ireland correspondent
Today marks exactly one year since Queen Elizabeth II passed away. The black-clad BBC presenter delivered the news in a deep voice on September 8, 2022: the beloved 96-year-old British queen had died peacefully at her Scottish castle Balmoral Castle.
The flag over Buckingham Palace dropped to half-mast. Within minutes, the square in front of the palace was filled with people and the international media machine was in full swing.
In the days that followed, the country showed its emotional side. Many Britons shed a tear at the end of an era. People lined up for miles day and night to shuffle past Elizabeth’s coffin. For almost two weeks the world witnessed all kinds of ceremonies, knights in shining armor, parades and funeral processions.
Meltdown did not occur
In the year that followed, the new King Charles was closely and sometimes suspiciously watched. Was he capable enough to succeed his mother? But a ‘meltdown’ of the British royal family, feared by some, did not occur. Charles’s coronation in May was well received, although there were grumblings about the costs.
The transition year was not without problems for the royal family, but the famous ‘keep calm and carry on‘ method turned out to work. Also when Prince Harry published his book Spare published full of damaging revelations and opened up about the royal family in a Netflix documentary with his wife Meghan.
King Charles said nothing, stoically continuing with his duties and obligations. And that seems to be working: according to polls, most Britons think he is doing a good job (59 percent compared to 17 percent who do not). Support for the republican movement, which seeks an elected head of state, remains limited to about 28 percent. That is not nothing, but it is certainly not a serious threat to the monarchy.
Continuity
Now attention is turning to the future. What kind of king will Charles III be? The first year was mainly focused on maintaining stability, being steadfast and radiating continuity.
Plans to reduce the number of working members of the family have been set in motion almost automatically. Prince Harry has left, and Prince Andrew, Charles’ brother, has had to step back from his royal duties due to several scandals.
Work is underway behind the scenes on the promise to reduce the number of royal estates, moving from private property to open estates and museums accessible to the public.
RoyalFamilyThe photo that Charles released
The 1-year mark since Elizabeth’s death is not extensively commemorated. King Charles III has recorded an audio message and released a previously unpublished photo of his mother. “We remember with great fondness her long life, dedication and all she meant to us.”
Charles and Camilla are today at the royal estate of Balmoral, where Elizabeth died. There they will commemorate her in private. Heir to the throne William and his wife Kate attend a small church service. “We miss you,” the couple said in a message.
XMessage from Prince William on X
2023-09-08 09:42:46
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